Keeping reptiles is a rewarding experience, one that develops a bond with these animals. Consequently, we find ourselves asking questions and raising issues rooted in morality and ethics. One such question has been surfacing lately regarding the continued breeding of some of the most popular species such as crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus), gargoyle geckos (Rhacodactylus auriculatus), and especially leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius).

The genus Afroedura includes fifteen taxa (species and subspecies.) To date, eleven species have been identified (source: Zootaxa ) , however, with increasing access to some of the more remote habitats and with the DNA sequencing of more of the specimens, it is likely that the number of identifiable species will increase in the near future (Jon Boone, pers. comm.). The genus is characterized by a very flat body, adapted for hiding in cracks and narrow rocky crevices.

Ten years ago, gecko hobbyists communicated with each other primarily through gecko-related forums such as Faunaclassifieds, GeckosUnlimited and GeckoForums. Ten years ago, Facebook was used exclusively by college students to keep up with their friends.
As we enter 2016, the situation has changed drastically.

The term ‘micro gecko’ can refer to members of the genus Tropiocolotes. The two species that I keep are Tropiocolotes tripolitanus and T. steudneri. These are a couple of the most common species of micro geckos available in the industry. Many are imported as wild caught adults, however small numbers of captive bred young are produced each year.

The previous article discussed gecko hatchlings that have problems due to improper husbandry or visible deformities. This article addresses the most puzzling and frustrating type of hatchling problems: hatchlings who don’t thrive for unknown reasons.

As easy as it can be to put a male and female gecko together, stick the eggs in the incubator, wait for the hatchlings and raise them to adulthood, inevitably some of the hatchlings have problems. They’re born with deformities, they don’t eat, they don’t grow the way they should.

More and more often, I hear people saying that they want to start their own reptile rescue. While having additional reptile rescues would be absolutely amazing as the few that exist are struggling to meet increasing surrender requests, rescue is more than just taking in reptiles in need. Starting, and maintaining, a rescue requires extensive planning, paperwork, time, space, money, and lots and lots of patience.

Anyone involved in the online leopard gecko community can recite the ideal leopard gecko setup: paper towel or tile, belly heat controlled with a thermostat, a dry hide, a humid hide, and a water dish. This simple setup works, and it has saved the lives of many leopard geckos previously kept in inadequate conditions due to ignorance. Still, many keepers wonder about creating more naturalistic enclosures.

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